"ABORIGINAL patients who sought life-saving treatment in Perth including dialysis and chemotherapy have died from inadequate support, a parliamentary inquiry has heard.

THE patients were part of the state government's Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS), which helps people who must travel long distances for specialist health care to pay for their accommodation and transport.

Nyoongar Patrol Outreach Service chief executive Maria McAtackney said while PATS provided essential help for regional people, some were falling through the cracks because of the lack of support they received once they arrived in Perth."